BendFilm embraces new fundraising concept

BEND, Ore. - BendFilm has garnered a clever way to sponsor its film awards thanks to the innovative thinking of Pamela Hulse Andrews, CEO/Founder of Cascade Publications Inc.

BendFilm Director Orit Schwartz recently told Andrews that she didn't have funding for several of the festival's $1,000 awards including Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Documentary. That got Andrews' creative juices flowing.

Andrews said, "I told Orit that I thought I could create an impromptu group we could call ‘Independent WOMEN for Independent Film' by recruiting 10 of my women friends to each pitch in $100 and sponsor the Best Director award."

A few emails and 15 minutes later she did just that, and more; she got commitments from 22 women, for an early total of $2,200.

But Andrews didn't stop there. She encouraged the women on her list to forward the request to their circles of friends.

One of those women, Rebecca Charlton, owner of Cowgirl Cash in Bend, drew on her network of customers and friends to add to the list, saying, "This goes to show what an incredible group of women we have right here, willing to step up for such an excellent festival."

The list of women who've committed $100 now numbers 68, and the current tally is $6,800.

"I'm thrilled with the response we've gotten from women in our community in support of BendFilm," said Andrews, who is in the process of designing some cool buttons for those who donate to wear. She continued, "It's key right now to preserve, enhance and protect this important festival and all that it brings to Bend. With such limited resources BendFilm really needs our help now and this is one small way we can join forces and assist."

Those who wish to contribute $100 to this campaign should make their check payable to BendFIlm, write "Indie WOMAN" on the memo line and mail it to Pamela Hulse Andrews, Cascade Publishing, 404 NE Norton Avenue, Bend, OR 97701.

Schwartz said, "Thank you to Pamela, whose brainchild has given us a much-needed boost at a critical time, and to all the women who have jumped in to participate in this campaign. We are humbled by the outpouring of support and have immense gratitude for everyone who's part of this effort."

Next year will be the 10th anniversary of BendFilm and Andrews hopes that this concept will grow into something even larger for the festival's big celebration year.See below for current list of contributors.

About BendFilmBendFilm is a non-profit group inspired by the opportunity to open doors for artists and to cast Bend, Oregon as the cultural and economic beneficiary. The BendFilm Festival runs every October in downtown Bend, Oregon at the historic Tower Theatre, McMenamins, Regal Cinemas, The Oxford Hotel, Sisters Movie House and new this year the Cascades Theatrical Company and Tin Pan Theater. Plan now to attend October 11-14, 2012 for a long weekend of films, lectures and parties as filmmakers compete for cash awards in Bend's charismatic setting of mountains, rivers and screaming blue skies. Follow us on Facebook.

BendFilm Info:

Address: 2748 NW Crossing Drive, Bend, OR 97701.

For questions or more information: call 541.388.FEST, email info@bendfilm.org or visit www.bendfilm.org.